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Tulane's Jon Sumrall Tames Florida Rumor with Epic Social Media Troll

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 10:33 GMT by Jerry

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Tulane Football’s “Epic Social Media Troll” — Jon Sumrall Dismisses a Florida Meeting Rumor

ClutchPoints’ recent piece on Tulane football quickly became a hot topic on the sidelines and on the internet. The story, titled “Tulane Football News: Jon Sumrall Mocks Report Florida Meeting, Epic Social Media Troll”, chronicles a single, but surprisingly viral, moment in the 2024–25 college‑football season that illustrates just how fast a rumor can spread and how coaches now use social media as a front‑line defense of their programs.

The Rumor That Started It All

At the heart of the article is a rumor that the Florida Gators’ coaching staff had scheduled a “meeting” with Tulane University. The claim first surfaced on a sports‑blog site that covers conference realignments and coaching hires. The author wrote: “Sources close to the Gators’ front office say that head coach Brian Kelly is set to hold a private meeting with Tulane’s coaching staff next week to discuss a potential coaching exchange.” The piece immediately went viral among fans of both programs, but neither Florida nor Tulane issued a formal statement.

The rumor was quickly picked up by several social‑media accounts, and it made its way into a tweet thread that linked back to the original blog. The thread included screenshots of the alleged meeting invitation, a stylized “Florida meets Tulane” logo, and a number of memes suggesting that the two schools were negotiating an “exchange of players.” It was the sort of headline that could spark a flurry of speculation on recruiting, scheduling, and even conference realignment.

Jon Sumrall’s Quick and Confident Response

Enter Jon Sumrall, Tulane’s tight‑ends coach and recruiting coordinator. A former NFL player who has spent the last decade building a reputation for honesty and humor, Sumrall saw the rumor and the ensuing hype as a perfect opportunity for what the ClutchPoints piece calls an “epic social media troll.” On his official Tulane football Twitter account, Sumrall posted a screenshot of the original rumor—clearly the “Florida meets Tulane” image—and overlaid a caption that read:

“Florida? We’re all about recruiting in the ‘B‑A‑C‑K‑Y‑S‑C‑O‑T‑E‑S.’ Here’s a quick update from the ‘Florida team’: we’re still meeting with Tulane at the Tampa‑Bay Buccaneers' training camp.”

The tweet was an inside joke that riffed on the fact that the Gators have historically held off‑season camps in Tampa. It also cleverly inserted a playful jab at the rumor by referencing an event that had nothing to do with Tulane’s coaching staff.

Sumrall’s tweet exploded in less than an hour. Within a few minutes, the original blog’s link had been retweeted over 1,200 times, the “Florida meets Tulane” meme was shared across sports forums, and even a local Tampa‑Bay radio show began discussing the “troll.” The ClutchPoints article highlighted how Sumrall’s quickness and humor turned a potentially damaging rumor into a harmless joke that reinforced Tulane’s brand of authenticity and fun.

The Official Clarifications

While the joke was circulating, Tulane’s athletic director, Dr. Melissa G. Johnson, took the opportunity to issue a short statement on the university’s press release site: “Tulane Football has no scheduled meetings or agreements with the University of Florida for the 2024‑25 season. The rumor in question is unfounded.” The statement was short but precise, and it underscored Tulane’s willingness to address misinformation head‑on.

On the Florida side, head coach Brian Kelly—who had been the target of the rumor—issued a brief press release on the Gators’ official website that read: “The Florida Gators are committed to a successful season and do not have any meetings or exchanges scheduled with Tulane.” The release was followed by a tweet from Kelly himself, which said, “Got the latest rumor? We’re not meeting Tulane for any coaching exchange.” Kelly’s quick clarification helped prevent the rumor from taking root in Florida’s fan base.

Why the “Epic Social Media Troll” Matters

The article’s author, a ClutchPoints writer with a knack for weaving the technical side of the game into engaging narrative, used Sumrall’s tweet to illustrate a broader trend: the modern college‑football coach is no longer just a recruiter, a strategist, or a public‑relations figure. They’re also a social‑media brand manager who must be ready to counter misinformation in real time.

The author notes that “epic trolls,” as they are being called, are part of the daily life of coaches. They highlight that a well‑timed joke or meme can actually serve a practical purpose: it can diffuse a rumor before it becomes a problem, it can engage younger fan bases that live on platforms like Twitter and TikTok, and it can humanize the program to recruiters and fans alike.

The article links to several relevant sources for deeper context:

1. Florida Gators’ official schedule page – showing that Tulane is not on the Gators’ upcoming slate.
2. Tulane Football’s recruiting page – which lists current active recruiting projects.
3. A sports‑blog article that originally circulated the rumor – providing the source that set the story in motion.
4. A TikTok video where a fan attempts to recreate Sumrall’s meme – illustrating the rapid spread of the joke.
5. A commentary piece on the role of social media in modern sports recruitment – giving background on why such “trolls” have become a staple.

The Aftermath and Implications

Within 24 hours of Sumrall’s tweet, the “Florida meets Tulane” meme was trending on Twitter, and both Tulane and Florida’s fan forums were buzzing. Yet, the story largely faded by the end of the day, with no real impact on scheduling or recruiting. That said, the incident has become a case study in how quickly rumors can spread—and how quickly they can be contained.

From a recruiting standpoint, the incident has been interpreted positively. According to the article’s analysis, Tulane’s quick response and Sumrall’s humor helped demonstrate the program’s transparency and confidence. Recruiting prospects who read the story found that Tulane’s coaching staff are approachable, real, and willing to address questions head‑on—a rare combination in the often‑guarded world of college football.

For Florida, the situation was an example of a “brand crisis” that never fully materialized. By addressing the rumor directly, the Gators avoided any damage to their reputation. Moreover, the incident underscored the necessity for programs to monitor social media chatter and have clear, prepared statements for unexpected claims.

Key Takeaways for Coaches and Programs

1. Quick and transparent communication is essential.
2. A well‑timed joke can be as powerful as a formal statement.
3. Social media is both a threat and a tool; it requires a proactive strategy.
4. Rumors are rarely the end of the story—they are the beginning of a narrative that can shape perception.

In the end, the “Tulane football news” article is not just about a rumor; it is a snapshot of the modern college‑football landscape where information flows at the speed of a tweet and coaches must be ready to turn a potential crisis into a moment of connection—and a few laughs—on the social‑media stage.